Switching from O/U to SxS shotgun

[Jack3]

Any game shots made the transition from an over-and-under to a side-by-side shotgun?

I've only been game and clay shooting for around 5 or 6 years and have shot fairly consistently since then with my first gun, a Beretta Silver Pigeon (O/U). However, more recently I've really enjoyed shooting clays with an old AYA Yeoman (SxS) and have found that I'm actually shooting better with it than with my Beretta. This might partly come down to gun fit...

Most people new to the sport are encouraged to start off with an O/U (as I was) and I appreciate the benefits - single sight picture, reduced recoil etc. But now I'm looking at new guns, I'm looking increasingly at moving across to a SxS for all my shooting. I gather that newer SxS guns tend to handle bigger loads and recoil better, and more importantly, are usually steel proofed.

Any thoughts, or similar experiences?

 

[bullet chucker]

I would say, that a game gun is slightly different to a sporting gun? repeated shots will heat up a game barrel pretty quick! to hot to handle' as opposed to a clay shooting model o/u with plenty of wood (forend) to protect your hand. Just something to bear in mind all so game guns in general are lighter.

BC.

 

[tackb]

it's all about gun fit , i'd say your o/u doesn't fit you as well as the s/s

i learnt to shoot with a s/s and still can but i use an o/u for all my shooting now whether game or clays

s/s will tire you over a long sporting layout due to recoil because they are generally lighter , multi choke s/s are rarer than o/u making the o/u more versatile etc

by all means scratch the s/s itch but i will bet you will return to o/u for clay shooting before long

 

[Dunwaters]

A modern SxS with semi pistol grip will probably suit you very nicely, most of the older guns are designed to be carried a lot and shot a little, they’re designed as specialist game guns.
Beretta make some really nice SxS guns with a bit of weight

 

[Len the dog]

I grew up shooting a SxS but then when I started to take my son clay shooting I switched to an O/U. However in the last few years my love for the SxS has reawakened as it is lighter to carry whilst walking around and being only 26" it is ideally suited for rough shooting where snap shots are commonplace. The gun is an AYA #2 SLE and after over 50 years of service, first in the hands of my father, then mine, it is still in excellent condition and a joy to use.
It is the one gun I shall never part with.

 

[Motul1974]

I've sold my other guns and now concentrating of a Beretta 486 I had with a custom stock done at the factory. I just love the look and feel of a sbs.

 

[WH308]

Yeah, I picked up a 26” sxs at the tail end of last season and on the couple of shoots I used it on I couldn’t me more pleased. Much more pleasant to carry all day as much lighter and with a short barrel it is much faster to get on to the unexpected birds!

I have gone for a 26” gun with a high “Churchill” rib. The raised rib gives a sight picture much more like a sxs. They are cheap at the moment as they are unfashionable, but IMO they should be popular with guys who shoot both o/u & sxs

 

[McKenzie]

I use both & swap between them every few days & don’t find a huge difference between them, maybe I’d hit a couple more clays out of 50 with the o/u. Nothing beats a well fitted sbs for snap shooting but if everything was longer range & required one to be more deliberate then I’d probably choose the o/u. Most of my shooting involves considerable walking so my preference is for a sbs, preferably with a sling fitted. Correct fit is crucial with a sbs & costs a bit.

 

[cjm1066]

I went to o/u due to a hand injury and needing a single trigger.

10 years later I reverted, they side on the arm better, are quicker to load and when I perform are lovely to use.

 

[Automan]

I really can't understand why you would want to do this.

 

[deerstalker.308]

I really can't understand why you would want to do this.

It’s called class

 

[JMH123]

Might as well shoot clays with a O/U and keep one for that- on big sim game/ charity clay days the barrels get too hot on a S/S.

People do shoot game with an O/U as well- dreadful business though really. Awful things to handle, even the best ones, but they do the job if that’s all that is required. The diesel Mondeo of the gun world.

Can’t beat a proper English (style) S/S in my view, if you want to enjoy the whole experience, and can appreciate the finer points of a day’s sport

Opinions may differ

 

[Automan]

It’s called class

Well what about this for class a gun shop that I know you can walk In select a side by side and make an offer nine times out of ten they will accept.
Side by sides belong with polio rickets and having a bath in front of the fire things have moved on.

 

[Tikkat1x]

i love my SxS and iv always said every man should own one, but as a 1 gun set up, never, mines more of a now and again gun for pigeons or a bit of walked up, never on clays,
although 20 years ago i only used to shoot DTL and bought a new SxS and tried it on that and i was getting better scores than ever
it was a zabala single trigger ejector, pistol grip with a big beavertail forend, M/C, absolute cracking gun for the £250 i gave for it,

 

[chriswjx]

Might as well shoot clays with a O/U and keep one for that- on big sim game/ charity clay days the barrels get too hot on a S/S.

People do shoot game with an O/U as well- dreadful business though really. Awful things to handle, even the best ones, but they do the job if that’s all that is required. The diesel Mondeo of the gun world.

Can’t beat a proper English (style) S/S in my view, if you want to enjoy the whole experience, and can appreciate the finer points of a day’s sport

Opinions may differ

I heard rumours of an estate in England that allowed some big shot Arab clients the use of semi autos on a game day...

 

[Dave Lakes]

I’ve just gone the other way. Bought a sensible, HP steel, 3”, multi choke, over/under. A Miroku MK70.

This way, I’ve got a solid future proofed gun that will last me a lifetime, and I’m now free to indulge in all the odd and nonsensical side by sides I want. Hammer gun next!

 

[enfieldspares]

People do shoot game with an O/U as well- dreadful business though really.

LOL! I had a friend thirty plus years ago when using an O/U on a game shoot was considered, with much tut-tutting, almost as bad as the worst social faux pas you might imagine. Worse maybe even than shooting on a Saturday! Anyway he used a Greener hammer gun but said that his wish was win the Premium Bonds and then be able to afford to buy and then to go to a shoot where the line was composed of Birmingham boxlock tut-tutting folk and take out one of his pair of Boss O/U guns. I have owned three O/U guns. None for more than twelve weeks at most. Indeed until 2020 I'd never even shot one. Ever. But different strokes for different folks.

 

[JMH123]

Well what about this for class a gun shop that I know you can walk In select a side by side and make an offer nine times out of ten they will accept.
Side by sides belong with polio rickets and having a bath in front of the fire things have moved on.

One day you may be fortunate enough to have a hot bath by an open fire. With a dram, if very lucky, after a day’s sport. One of those things not to knock until you’ve tried it! You’d probably still be allowed even if you shoot game with an O/U….shooting people are a generous and forgiving lot

 

[JMH123]

LOL! I had a friend thirty plus years ago when using an O/U on a game shoot was considered, with much tut-tutting, almost as bad as the worst social faux pas you might imagine. Worse maybe even than shooting on a Saturday! Anyway he used a Greener hammer gun but said that his wish was win the Premium Bonds and then be able to afford to buy and then to go to a shoot where the line was composed of Birmingham boxlock tut-tutting folk and take out one of his pair of Boss O/U guns. I have owned three O/U guns. None for more than twelve weeks at most. Indeed until 2020 I'd never even shot one. Ever. But different strokes for different folks.

Shooting on a Saturday?! Even the O/U brigade would turn their noses up at such a base suggestion, surely! Shame on you, Sir

 

[Bonzo dog]

I have shot a beretta o/u for the the last 20yrs. But in the last couple of seasons have started using my great grand fathers sxs. Think I shoot fairly well with both, but get a lot more pleasure from using his sxs.